Guy A. Bennett, loving husband, father and grandfather

OLEAN — Guy A. Bennett, of 679 Garden Ave., passed away Wednesday (Sept. 10, 2025) at Olean General Hospital.

Guy was born June 19, 1952, in Olean, and was the son of Harry Edward and Evelyn Ross Bennett. On July 1, 2010, in Olean he married Karen P. Scott, who survives.

Guy was a 1972 graduate of United States School of Applied Aerospace Science.  He attended Jamestown Community College where he obtained his associate’s degree in applied arts and fire technology, then Houghton College where he received his bachelor’s in management, then University of New York at Buffalo where he received his master’s in library science. Guy attended P/T Minot ND State College, Corning Community College and Alfred College in Olean before it became JCC.

Guy served in the U.S. Air Force from January 1972 to January 1976. He served in tactical air command at White Sands, N.M., working on F4 Phantoms; in Thailand from 1972 to 1973 in tactical air command, working on F11s; and in strategic air command North Dakota, where he worked on B52s. Guy served in the U.S. Army National Guard in Olean from 1978 to 1982 as Lieutenant he was also the company commander 1/127 Armor Division.

Guy worked for Olean Fire Department from 1979 to 1999, where he worked many positions including first uniformed supervisor of code enforcement and was a certified code enforcement instructor. An original member of the Cattaraugus County Fire Investigation Team, he was published in the magazine Fire Engineering for work with Intandem, then retiring as captain.

Guy worked as a library manager for Bryant and Stranton College for 18 campuses, a library director for the Bradford public Library in Bradford, Pa., medical librarian at East Carolina University, elementary school librarian in Knoxville, Tennessee., Olean Business Institute librarian and a reference librarian at the Olean Public Library.

Guy was a member of Abundant Life Ministries where he became very active in his church. When he found God making him a better person and the church became his light. His favorite passage was Psalm 146, Praise the Lord, O my soul, I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing Praise to my God as long as I live.

Guy was an amateur ham radio operator. He enjoyed hiking, geocaching, shopping and being a fun-loving grandfather who loved playing games with his grandchildren (he was not a good loser).

He also loved his pets including his rooster; playing euchre on Friday night game nights, especially if it was guys against the girls; sitting in his backyard with a fire with family and friends watching the Buffalo Bills while holding his wife’s hand.

His children remembered “the countless times that when they were kids their dad would take them fishing, teaching us the basics at the Dempsy Club as well as always wanting to help as we became adults with anything that was needed.”

Along with his loving wife, Karen, Guy is survived by six children, Charles V. Bennett of Hinsdale, Andrew A. Bennett and Katie L. Bennett, both of Olean, Ashley L. (Brad) Haynoski of Springville, Ross A. Bennett of Carthage and James M. Spitalere of Olean; eight grandchildren, Kristin, Summer, Aiden, Conner, Carson, Jayden, Alec and Carley; three great-grandchildren, Katai, Rayna and Preston; three in-laws, Kevin D. (Lori) Scott of New Hampshire, Michael E. (Heather) Scott of Olean and Danice M. (Jim) Galloway of Olean; and close friends that were like family, Remington, Lisa and Kendall.

Guy was predeceased by his parents; and two sisters, Janet Ray and Edna “Rusty” Farrell-Pickard.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 18, 2025) at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St. Members of the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892 ritual team will accord military honors at 3 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday (Sept. 19, 2025) at Abundant Life Ministries, 1331 Olean-Portville Road. Rev. Bruce Taylor, pastor, will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Abundant Life Ministries, 1331 Olean-Portville Road, Weston Mills, NY 14788; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675; or the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 2944 Route 16, Olean, NY 14760.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.